Tory started on the reception desk before undertaking a 10-week bereavement training course. Because of her work the Mercury has been asked not to publish her full name.

She said: “While I was waiting to go on the hospice’s bereavement volunteer training course, I was invited to get involved with a different area of the hospice and so I put myself forward as a reception volunteer – I thought this would be a great way to get to know how the hospice worked.

“That was over three years ago, and I’ve been a volunteer on the reception desk once a week ever since.

“The front desk of the hospice is always a lively, busy place and you see all sorts of people – visiting families, day hospice patients, community nurses and other staff, volunteers and fundraisers. I liked volunteering at the hospice so much that I kept on both roles.”

In 2015, Tory undertook the hospice’s bereavement training course and now offers pre-bereavement support and bereavement support.

She said: “I usually have a caseload of three or four people who I see in individual sessions of an hour either weekly or fortnightly.

“I feel it is a real privilege to work as part of the bereavement team as the people we see really value being listened to at a very difficult time in their lives.

“It is a very rewarding role and I always send the people I have been seeing a note to thank them for sharing a part of their journey with me.

“I do it also to put something back – I saw the support my father-in-law received from his local hospice a couple of years ago and I wanted to contribute in a similar way.

“My role at the hospice is really rewarding and I would thoroughly recommend volunteering. Weston Hospicecare is a very special place, with a really intimate feeling to it. People here are very caring and supportive – it’s a great place to work.”

Tory and a number of other courageous fundraiser, will abseil down Uphill Quarry on March 4.

Anyone interested in taking part can call Kelsey on 01934 423967. To find out more about volunteering for the hospice, call 01934 423975.